The Revolutionary war, that took place from 1775 to 1783, was significant to American History because it granted independence to a nation destined for greatness. The Americans were very upset that the British wanted to control them and make them pay taxes.The first battle occurred at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. After this battle they fought in numerous locations in America including New York in 1776 specifically the Bronx. Something used a lot by Americans was Kings Bridge which was protected greatly by all forts especially Fort Independence. Kings Bridge was used to scan the area for enemies and covered the Americans with ways to secretly escape the British (Roberts, pg.291-295.) There were many forts surrounding the Harlem River but Fort Independence was the main fort because the main force of the army took post within it. Even though the British were able to conquer Fort Independence it gave a chance for Washington and his army escape and eventually win the war.
After the first major battle of the American Revolution, the Battle of Brooklyn Heights fought in August 27, 1776, both sides were racing to get to New York and take over the Kings Bridge area (Roberts, pg.16.) Washington took possession of New York City and Kings Bridge which would later become his main post (Schecter, pg.79.) The Americans protected the fort and used it to defend the other forts surrounding it.The location of Kings Bridge was very important to the Americans. This area provided entrances to many other places. For example if they wanted to escape or hide they would secretly use the bridge and move to different places such as the Manhattan Island. Also this was where they would receive messages of where the British were located at. With King's Bridge they would receive a considerable force at Throggs Neck which included armed ships in October 14, 1776. They had to be careful of the British because they knew this secret and wanted to destroy it so that they can trap Americans in Manhattan Island so they can win the battles.
General Howe and his brother constantly tried to trap George Washington and his troops on Manhattan Island. They tried sailing behind the troops but Washington always managed to get out because of the passage Kings Bridge provided to other places.The British commander general William Howe was aware of the importance of the bridge (Ultan, pg.3.) He and his army all knew that if he would cut off the bridge while Washington and his army were on Manhattan Island he would win the war for their was no way out but the bridge.In October 14, 1776 the British tried to cut off supplies arriving to the Americans by water. Even the British soldiers knew that Kings Bridge was the force of the Americans. For a British soldier said it himself "they have drawn up, we hear, their main force to Kings Bridge which separates York Island from the continent by its narrow channel, either to secure their retreat, or to make a stand against our army in a fortification which is represented to be extremely strong." (Serle, pg.95.) He tried many times to attack it. There was once when Howe hoped to trap Washington and his army on Manhattan Island by using the East River and landing right behind the American lines but they failed because Washington would escape every time.
For these reasons the Americans protected their bridge by placing forts around it. Each fort had its own job but together their goal was to keep the British away. If the British were to gain access to the bridge there would be no reason for the war, for the Americans would be held captive and the British would win the war. Some forts were placed in different locations so they each had there own independent jobs.One very important fort was the Fort Independent. If this fort was conquered (which at the end it was) then the British would have easy access to Kings Bridge allowing them to trap the Americans. It was said that the forts were personally supervised by American commander in chief George Washington, so that the bridge was fully protected from the British (Ultan, pg.2-3) .
Eight forts were located on a hill overlooking the Harlem River and were being called by numbers. The smaller forts ,also called redoubts,were placed on Boston Road to guard any approaches on going into the Harlem River. Many other forts were built in different places but they all were there to protect the entrance to King's Bridge which crossed over the Harlem River gaining access to different places.
In October 21, 1776 General Howe landed six miles from Kings Bridge and the British had advanced from New Rochelle to Maroneck. On October 28, 1776 General Knipphausen advanced towards Fort Independence and taken possession of it. The British were now one step closer to taking over Kings Bridge because Ft.Independence was above Kings Bridge (Iconography.) Both sides were struggling either to take over or defend Kings Bridge. By the end of October Kings Bridge was the only area in possession of the Americans. Soon later the Americans surrendered after three hours of battling and over 3000 men lost in one day.Washington was forced to retreat to the Delaware River but after that the Americans proved that losing a fort didn't affect the result of the war because they ended up winning the revolutionary war.
After the first major battle of the American Revolution, the Battle of Brooklyn Heights fought in August 27, 1776, both sides were racing to get to New York and take over the Kings Bridge area (Roberts, pg.16.) Washington took possession of New York City and Kings Bridge which would later become his main post (Schecter, pg.79.) The Americans protected the fort and used it to defend the other forts surrounding it.The location of Kings Bridge was very important to the Americans. This area provided entrances to many other places. For example if they wanted to escape or hide they would secretly use the bridge and move to different places such as the Manhattan Island. Also this was where they would receive messages of where the British were located at. With King's Bridge they would receive a considerable force at Throggs Neck which included armed ships in October 14, 1776. They had to be careful of the British because they knew this secret and wanted to destroy it so that they can trap Americans in Manhattan Island so they can win the battles.
General Howe and his brother constantly tried to trap George Washington and his troops on Manhattan Island. They tried sailing behind the troops but Washington always managed to get out because of the passage Kings Bridge provided to other places.The British commander general William Howe was aware of the importance of the bridge (Ultan, pg.3.) He and his army all knew that if he would cut off the bridge while Washington and his army were on Manhattan Island he would win the war for their was no way out but the bridge.In October 14, 1776 the British tried to cut off supplies arriving to the Americans by water. Even the British soldiers knew that Kings Bridge was the force of the Americans. For a British soldier said it himself "they have drawn up, we hear, their main force to Kings Bridge which separates York Island from the continent by its narrow channel, either to secure their retreat, or to make a stand against our army in a fortification which is represented to be extremely strong." (Serle, pg.95.) He tried many times to attack it. There was once when Howe hoped to trap Washington and his army on Manhattan Island by using the East River and landing right behind the American lines but they failed because Washington would escape every time.
For these reasons the Americans protected their bridge by placing forts around it. Each fort had its own job but together their goal was to keep the British away. If the British were to gain access to the bridge there would be no reason for the war, for the Americans would be held captive and the British would win the war. Some forts were placed in different locations so they each had there own independent jobs.One very important fort was the Fort Independent. If this fort was conquered (which at the end it was) then the British would have easy access to Kings Bridge allowing them to trap the Americans. It was said that the forts were personally supervised by American commander in chief George Washington, so that the bridge was fully protected from the British (Ultan, pg.2-3) .
Eight forts were located on a hill overlooking the Harlem River and were being called by numbers. The smaller forts ,also called redoubts,were placed on Boston Road to guard any approaches on going into the Harlem River. Many other forts were built in different places but they all were there to protect the entrance to King's Bridge which crossed over the Harlem River gaining access to different places.
In October 21, 1776 General Howe landed six miles from Kings Bridge and the British had advanced from New Rochelle to Maroneck. On October 28, 1776 General Knipphausen advanced towards Fort Independence and taken possession of it. The British were now one step closer to taking over Kings Bridge because Ft.Independence was above Kings Bridge (Iconography.) Both sides were struggling either to take over or defend Kings Bridge. By the end of October Kings Bridge was the only area in possession of the Americans. Soon later the Americans surrendered after three hours of battling and over 3000 men lost in one day.Washington was forced to retreat to the Delaware River but after that the Americans proved that losing a fort didn't affect the result of the war because they ended up winning the revolutionary war.